I saw Up In the Air a while back, but I keep thinking back on it.  Just for fun, here’s a snippet of the dialogue that I thought was pretty terrific.

***

Natalie – I thought I’d be engaged by now.  (catches herself)  No offense.

Alex – It’s alright.
Ryan – None taken.

Natalie – When I was sixteen, I thought by twenty three, I would be married, maybe have a kid…  Corner office by day, entertaining by night.  I was supposed to be driving a Grand Cherokee by now.

Alex – Life can underwhelm you that way.

Natalie – Now I have my sights on twenty nine, because thirty is just way too… apocalyptic.  I mean, where did you think you’d be by…  (she catches herself, having no idea how old Alex is)

Alex – It doesn’t work that way.
Ryan – At a certain point, you stop with the deadlines.
Alex – They can be a little counterproductive.

Natalie – I don’t want to say anything that’s… anti-feminist.  I mean, I really appreciate everything your generation did for me.

Alex – (my generation?)  It was our pleasure.

Natalie – But sometimes it feels like no matter how much success I have, it all won’t matter until I find the right guy.

Alex – You really thought this guy was the one.

Natalie – Yeah, I guess.  I don’t know.  I could have made it work.  He just really fit the bill.

Ryan – The bill?

Natalie – My type.  You know, white collar.  College grad.  Loves dogs.  Likes funny movies.  Six foot one.  Brown hair.  Kind eyes.  Works in finance but is Outdoorsy, you know, on the weekends.  (we think she’s done)  I always imagined he’d have a single syllable name like Matt or John or… Dave.  In a perfect world, he drives a Four Runner and the only thing he loves more than me is his golden lab.  Oh… and a nice smile.  (back to Alex and Ryan)  How about you?  (This catches both Alex and Ryan off guard.)

Ryan – I’m not sure if…

Natalie – I meant Alex…

Ryan – Right.

Alex – Huh, let me think for a sec.  (mulls it over)  Well, by the time you’re thirty four, all the physical requirements are pretty much out the window.  I mean you secretly pray he’ll be taller than you.  (smiles)  Not an asshole would be nice?  Just someone who enjoys my company.  Comes from a good family – You don’t think about that when you’re younger.  (thinking)  Wants kids…  Likes kids.   Wants kids.  Healthy enough to play catch with his future son one day.  (We can tell Ryan is taking a serious interest in this.)  Please let him earn more than I do.  That doesn’t make sense now, but believe me, it will one day.  Otherwise it’s just a recipe for disaster.  (reaching)  Hopefully some hair on his head…?  But it’s not exactly a deal-breaker anymore.  Nice smile…  Yep, a nice smile just might do it.  (Looks to Ryan.  He has a nice smile.)

Natalie – Wow.  That was depressing. . . . I don’t mind being married to my career, and I don’t expect it to hold me in bed as I fall asleep.  (looks up)  I just don’t want to settle.

Alex – You’re young.  Right now you see settling as some sort of failure.

Natalie – It is.  By definition.

Alex – Don’t worry, by the time someone is right for you, it won’t feel like settling…  And the only person left to judge you will be the twenty four year old girl with a target on your back.